Beyond Postmodernism

And all the -isms

By Designecologist

Beyond Postmodernism: Emerging Art Movements

In the dynamic landscape of art and culture, the torch of innovation passes from one movement to the next, each heralding a new era of creative expression. Modernism, once the reigning paradigm, saw its supremacy of blind positivism challenged and ultimately superseded by the rise of nihilistic Postmodernism in the mid-1960s. Yet, Postmodernism's influence began to wane by the dawn of the new millennium. What lies beyond Postmodernism? What descriptors capture the essence of the evolving artistic and cultural currents?

In the 21st century, art is being produced at an unprecedented rate. Yet, the evolution of artistic movements occurs more gradually - it takes time to gain perspective and categorize these emerging trends. While Modernism and Postmodernism dominated the 20th century, theorists now propose several perspectives for the post-postmodern age:

New Sincerity

Tracing its roots to the mid-1980s, New Sincerity signifies a cultural shift towards authenticity and earnestness, eschewing the veils of irony and cynicism that shrouded the postmodern milieu. It embraces genuine emotional expression and a return to heartfelt engagement, contrasting sharply with Postmodernism's detachment and parody characteristics.

The concept gained prominence in the 1990s through American author David Foster Wallace and was further propelled by Jesse Thorn's 2006 essay "A Manifesto for the New Sincerity," marking it as a hallmark of post-postmodernism. This movement finds expression across various media, including literature, film, music, and television.

Notable representatives in music include The Reivers, as well as artists like Arcade Fire, Conor Oberst, Cat Power, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sufjan Stevens, Idlewild, Okkervil River, and Michael Waller.

In cinema, Jim Collins developed the concept in his 1993 essay "Genericity in the 90s: Eclectic Irony and the New Sincerity." Early examples of New Sincerity in the film include "Field of Dreams" (1989), "Dances With Wolves" (1990), "Hook" (1991), and "Titanic" (1997).

In literature, authors like David Foster Wallace and Jonathan Franzen have been associated with New Sincerity, emphasizing the importance of genuine human connection and emotional depth in their works.

Transmodernism

Conceived by philosopher Enrique Dussel in 1995, Transmodernism critiques both Modernism and Postmodernism. It envisions a renaissance of spirituality rooted in pluralism and inclusivity. It aims to synthesize elements from various cultural traditions and knowledge systems, promoting a holistic worldview that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all life.

Embracing environmentalism, feminism, and universalism, Transmodernism offers a paradigm shift away from Western-centric ideologies. This movement advocates for a more equitable and sustainable global society by incorporating indigenous knowledge and non-Western philosophies, challenging the dominance of Western thought.

Transmodernism emphasizes dialogue and cooperation across cultures, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in addressing global challenges such as climate change, social justice, and economic inequality. Other theorists who have developed this concept include Ken Wilber, Paul Gilroy, and Islamic scholar Ziauddin Sardar.

While there are no officially designated artists or works attributed to this movement, we can observe numerous examples in practice where established Western traditions are questioned, notions of normalcy are challenged, and issues such as climate change, women's place in art, minorities, and the reconsideration of cultural hierarchies are addressed.

Remodernism

Christened in 2000 by artists Billy Childish and Charles Thompson, Remodernism offers a vision opposed to the nihilism and materialism of the postmodern epoch. Advocating for a resurgence of spirituality in art, Remodernism heralds a departure from the prevailing zeitgeist by emphasizing sincerity, authenticity, and emotional depth.

It seeks to reinvigorate the human spirit and creative expression, promoting art that is accessible and meaningful to the broader public. Remodernism is a response to postmodern art's perceived superficiality and detachment, calling for a return to the values of earlier modernist movements while incorporating contemporary insights.

The movement began when Childish and Thompson founded Stuckism in 1999, an international art movement that championed figurative painting over conceptual art. The group attracted artists from various countries and gained attention from serious art institutions. In 2000, the Stuckists declared the first Remodernist art show, "The Resignation of Sir Nicholas Serota." Soon after, Khatereh Ahmadi established the Remodernism Institute.

In 2003, Andy Bullock and Larry Dunstan formed an independent group called "Stuckist Photographers," declaring their alignment with Remodernism. The concept has garnered international attention in various art fields and continues to evolve.

Digimodernism (Pseudomodernism)

Introduced by Alan Kirby in 2006 and expanded upon in his 2009 book, Digimodernism (sometimes referred to as Pseudomodernism) emphasizes the profound impact of digital technologies on culture and art. Kirby argues that humanity is enslaved in a virtual labyrinth, often detached from tangible reality.

This emerging perspective is marked by high-level consumerism toward technology, content, and products. It emphasizes rapid consumption, ephemeral content, and the commodification of personal data. Kirby stresses that engagement with technology often comes at the expense of critical thinking.

While Kirby doesn't propose a specific stylistic manifestation of Digimodernism, its themes can be observed in the work of various artists across different mediums.

Altermodernism

Coined by art curator Nicolas Bourriaud in 2009, Altermodernism encapsulates the ethos of a globalized world, where cultural boundaries blur, and diverse influences converge to forge a new, hybrid identity. It emerges as a response to modernism and Postmodernism, addressing the complexities of a world interconnected by technology, migration, and transnational exchanges.

Rejecting the homogeneity of mass culture, Altermodernism celebrates the mosaic of human experience, emphasizing cultural diversity and a web of identities.

In 2009, the Tate Britain triennial, curated by Nicolas Bourriaud, was titled "Altermodern." Despite the theorist's influence and the institution providing a platform for this concept, its application and development in art have stalled, with no further public discussions or texts on the subject.

Metamodernism

The term "metamodernism" first appeared publicly in 1975 when Mas'ud Zavarsadeh used it to describe mid-20th-century American literature. Later 1999, Moyo Okediji employed it in writing about African American art. However, philosophers Robin van den Akker and Timotheus Vermeulen developed the term most professionally.

In 2010, they introduced "metamodernism" as a synthesis of the best-fragmented parts of Modernism and Postmodernism, reconstructed to create something new and improved. According to the philosophers, metamodernism emerges between the naivety of modernism and the irony of Postmodernism. It posits that society has grown weary of postmodern deconstruction and sarcasm but is unwilling to return to modernism unthinkingly. Instead, it builds on the prevailing base with a new sincerity and authentic thinking paradigm.

In November 2011, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York hosted an exhibition titled "No More Modern: Notes on Metamodernism," featuring works by Pilvi Takala, Guido van der Werve, Benjamin Martin, and Mariechen Danz. Since 2018, the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has funded the Metamodernism Research Network.

In 2020 and 2021, during the ArtVilnius art fairs in Lithuania, Ornela Ramasauskaite, founder of "artXchange Global," and Rasa Balciuniene Balte, head of HAI, organized international conferences on Metamodernism, at which Robin van den Akker, one of the concept's authors, also presented.

In 2013, "American Book Review" published a book dedicated to metamodernism, identifying Roberto Bolaño, Dave Eggers, Jonathan Franzen, Haruki Murakami, Zadie Smith, and David Foster Wallace as metamodernists. In 2019, Lene Rachel Anderson published her book "Metamodernity: Meaning and Hope in a Complex World," though by late 2023, she began developing the concept of polymodernism, seeking to distinguish it from metamodernism.

In music, Lana del Rey is mentioned as a representative of metamodernism, while in visual art, creators respond to this concept in various ways, from themes to stylistics.

The Metamodernism concept has gained the most traction and is widely applied—from practice to scientific analysis—so it warrants deeper exploration, especially in analyzing its manifestation in the fine arts.

As the wheel of artistic evolution continues, these nascent movements illuminate the path forward, each offering a unique perspective on the ever-shifting landscape of art and culture. The post-postmodern age is characterized by diverse approaches, reflecting the complexity and interconnectedness of our contemporary world.

*Partly based on Steve Firkins's "Curvism: Beyond Postmodernism (with author's permission), access online: https://www.curvism.com/work